Remedies for when drooling strikes

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DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am competent, have a good memory and am active physically and mentally. I am 87 years old. My problem is drooling. It's embarrassing to the point that I won't eat out with others. I take no medicines, and I have no serious medical problems. Is there a way to stop this? -- R.K.

Dr. Donohue

ANSWER: Drooling happens when the mouth fills with too much saliva, when swallowing is impaired and when some illnesses promote it. Parkinson's disease is such an illness. When drooling results from an illness, then attention is directed to correcting that illness.

Partly to blame for drooling is aging, when the tissues around the lips and mouth lose their strength and firmness. You can address this by consciously reminding yourself to keep swallowing.

A couple of medicines help control the loss of saliva from the corners of the mouth. One is scopolamine patches (Transderm-Scop), which halt saliva production for a limited time period. Limit patch use to the times when you're invited to eat out. Glycopyrrolate (Robinul) is fairly effective in reducing drooling. Both medicines, Transderm-Scop and Robinul, might bring on side effects that are unacceptable.

Botox injections, a treatment that is used for so many different conditions, also is used to stop drooling.

Surgical procedures are saved for the worst cases, the ones that don't respond to other treatments. One procedure involves removal of the minor salivary glands and the tying off of the duct from the main salivary gland. The salivary ducts can be repositioned so that they empty saliva farther back in the mouth.

Have a frank discussion with an ear, nose and throat doctor, who can direct you to the treatment best suited to your particular problem.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: For the past couple of weeks, I have been dragging around like a zombie. I make it to work every day, but when I get home I have to lie down for a nap.

I did see a doctor yesterday. He examined me carefully, drew blood for lab test and took an EKG. He called me today and says he thinks I have viral myocarditis. He wants to see me again. What am I facing? -- D.D.

ANSWER: Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle. The usual story is one of a relatively young person who had a recent cold or stomach problem that resolved on its own. Then the person notices vague chest pains and perhaps feels palpitations, abnormal heartbeats. An EKG shows changes suggestive of heart inflammation.

An echocardiogram, a soundwave picture of the heart, shows the heart beating feebly.

Many cases of viral myocarditis get better with rest. For a few, however, it's a serious condition requiring around-the-clock care in a cardiac intensive care unit. You sound as though you fall into the first category. Cure for that kind of myocarditis is anticipated.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What kind of diet is best for avoiding colon cancer? My family's history is filled with colon cancer deaths at an early age. I want to do all I can to cancel whatever genes I have inherited for this cancer. -- D.M.

ANSWER: The best diet for reducing the risk of colon cancer is one that emphasizes vegetables, fruits and grains. You need to reduce the consumption of red meat. You don't have to banish it from your diet, but you ought to practice moderation. You also should greatly limit processed meats. Processed meats are things like hot dogs, sausage and luncheon meats.

Stay physically active. Get the recommended amount of vitamin D. Food sources of vitamin D include dairy products fortified with it, fortified vitamin D orange juice and fish like salmon, trout, halibut and tuna. In summer, 15 minutes of sun exposure raises vitamin D levels. The recommended daily allowanced is 600 IU for those younger than 71 and 800 IU for those older. Have you been checked for the genetic causes of this cancer?

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Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

Dr. Donohue

Dr. Paul Donohue writes a daily column titled "To Your Health" that is syndicated to more than 175 newspapers. The question-and-answer series is one of the oldest health columns in the North America, having first appeared in the 50s. Dr. Donohue took over the series nearly 20 years ago. Dr. Donohue is board-certified in his primary specialty, internal medicine, the specialty that emphasizes diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of illnesses. He also is board-certified in the subspecialty of infectious diseases. He graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He has a master's degree in public health from Tulane University in New Orleans and did advanced work on infectious diseases at the University of California, Davis. After completing medical school, he served two years in the Army Medical Corps and 18 months as battalion surgeon in the 173rd Airborne Brigade-for which he was awarded two Bronze Stars, one of which was for valor during combat. Write to Dr. Paul Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.

Last modified: August 4, 2012
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